To bereave means to suffer the loss of a loved one through death. When someone is bereaved, they've experienced one of life's most difficult moments: a person they cared deeply about has died.

You'll more often encounter the adjective form: bereaved. A bereaved family has lost someone dear to them. Bereaved children have lost a parent, grandparent, or sibling. The word carries a sense of deep sorrow and emptiness that comes with such a loss.

The related noun bereavement describes both the state of having lost someone and the period of grieving that follows. A school might give a teacher bereavement leave after a family member dies, recognizing that they need time to mourn. During bereavement, people often feel a mix of sadness, shock, and disbelief.

While bereave is somewhat formal, it's useful because it names a specific, profound kind of loss. You might lose your phone or lose a soccer game, but you are bereaved when death takes someone you love. The word acknowledges that this loss is different from other losses, deserving of special recognition and compassion.